Pakistan downplays alleged India airspace breach

Pakistani police officers stand outside the residence of Islamic charity Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed after his house arrest in Lahore, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008. Pakistan on Friday pressed India to share evidence from the Mumbai attacks, warning that any effort to prosecute ke

/ AP

Pakistani police officers stand outside the residence of Islamic charity Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed after his house arrest in Lahore, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008. Pakistan on Friday pressed India to share evidence from the Mumbai attacks, warning that any effort to prosecute key suspects rounded up in Pakistan will be hamstrung without it. (K.M.Chaudary)

Pakistani police officers stand outside the residence of Islamic charity Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed after his house arrest in Lahore, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 12, 2008. Pakistan on Friday pressed India to share evidence from the Mumbai attacks, warning that any effort to prosecute key suspects rounded up in Pakistan will be hamstrung without it. (K.M.Chaudary) (/ AP)

ZARAR KHAN, The Associated Press

Pakistan on Sunday downplayed alleged Indian violations of its airspace, suggesting the weekend breaches were "inadvertent" and "technical," an apparent bid to avoid deepening tensions already spiked by the Mumbai attacks.

Pakistani officials said Indian aircraft on two separate occasions Saturday crossed one to three miles (two to four kilometers) into Pakistan over its section of the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir and the eastern city of Lahore.

Pakistani jets chased the Indian aircraft back over the border, authorities said.

Such an airspace breach would be rare because both sides – which have fought three wars against each other – are careful to avoid them.

Indian officials on Sunday denied Pakistan's claim.

"There has not been any airspace violation by the Indian air force as has been alleged," said Mahesh Upasani, the Indian air force spokesman.

The alleged incident comes at a time of increased tension between the nuclear-armed rivals over last month's deadly attack in Mumbai. India has said the assault, which left more than 160 people dead, had roots in Pakistan.

Pakistan has denied any official link to the attack but has arrested some alleged plotters while demanding India hand over evidence to aid in their prosecution.